House Unanimously Passes Global Warming Solutions Act

Reworked bill sets limits on emissions linked to climate change, establishes stringent penalties for emission cap violations

BOSTON – The House of Representatives today unanimously passed legislation that will cap harmful greenhouse gas emissions and put in place a long-term plan to curb emissions in the Commonwealth.

Under the bill redrafted by House leaders and the Patrick administration, bold economy-wide emissions limits would be set – up to 25 percent of 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent those levels by 2050. The bill sets interim targets for 2030 and 2040 to facilitate hitting the 2050 level.

Tough new penalties will meet violators under the bill, with civil penalties of up to $25,000 per day for emission violations.

The redraft language, developed by House leaders with Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles, would charge the Secretary with mapping a plan to achieve the 2020 emissions limit by creating new regulations for electricity generation, fuel supplies, heating and cooling of buildings, and vehicle emissions. The Secretary would also be required to establish an emissions registry and reporting system to monitor emissions in the Commonwealth by 2014.

The bill also sets up a climate change adaptation advisory committee to examine how humans and plant and animal species will adapt to the reality of climate change.

“The evidence is clear that the burning of fossil fuels will have long-term effects on our environment. So it is our job, as citizens of this Commonwealth and of the globe, to preserve our natural resources for generations to come. With the adoption of this bill, the House has taken a bold step to protect our planet today and tomorrow,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“In order to stop carbon emissions from taking a toll on our environment, it is going to take bold initiatives from the states and the full cooperation and support of leadership in Washington,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi. “With the adoption of this bill, Massachusetts will be setting an example for the nation to follow. I hope the House will approve this bill and make our state part of the global warming solution.”

“This bill will put Massachusetts in a national leadership role in confronting climate change by creating a stringent, yet market-based, emissions reduction mandate that will create clean energy jobs,” said Secretary Bowles. “Taken together with major new laws on oceans, energy reform and biofuels as well as pending bills on environmental bonding and the promotion of the clean energy sector, this legislation would cap a landmark legislative session. I commend Speaker DiMasi, Senate President Murray, Senator Pacheco, Chairman Smizik, and numerous environmental, business, and clean energy advocates for their work on this vitally important challenge.”

“This bill is a bold measure that will encourage the use of clean energy and address the problem of carbon pollution through market-based incentives,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Environmental Committee Chairman. “We must pass this legislation in order to preserve the quality of life in Massachusetts and protect our ecosystem and public health for generations to come.”

“Combating global warming is as much about protecting Massachusetts as it is about protecting the planet. We need to do our part to limit the negative impacts of climate change so we can protect our beaches, improve people’s health and have a cleaner environment. Working with the governor, Massachusetts is now recognized as a national leader in the development of clean and renewable energy technology and the new jobs that sector will bring. Now, with this bill, we will also be a leader in taking immediate action to reduce harmful carbon emissions,” stated Representative Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop), Chairman of the House Committee on Ways & Means.

House Unanimously Approves Green Jobs Initiative

Bill will promote workforce training in clean energy sector, assist expansion of green companies in Commonwealth

BOSTON – In an effort to grow jobs in the Commonwealth’s burgeoning clean energy sector, The House of Representatives today unanimously approved legislation to encourage green start-up companies to expand in Massachusetts and provide individuals of all income levels with the job skills needed to excel in the state’s budding green economy.

“The clean energy industry stands to be a significant revenue and job generator for Massachusetts. The green jobs bill will ensure that people of all income levels can take advantage of the jobs created in this new and promising sector and encourage companies to expand their operations in the Bay State,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“From the outset of this legislative session, the House made energy reform its top priority. Today we add to this session’s clean energy agenda with a bill that will not only bolster our efforts to change the way we consume, produce and deliver energy in the Commonwealth but also grow jobs and provide new opportunities for our workforce,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).

“I commend the Speaker on his continued leadership in solidifying the Commonwealth as a national leader in the green movement. His Green Communities Law is groundbreaking and will develop great demand for renewable energy and energy efficiency in Massachusetts. This Green Jobs bill will create the workforce and develop the industry needed to service that demand. It’s going to put thousands of people to work throughout the entire state and create sustainable economic development in an industry that has great potential for the commonwealth,” said Representative Daniel Bosley (D-North Adams), Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

The bill establishes the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center to serve as the state’s lead agency to promote and develop the clean energy sector. The Center will promote workforce training in the clean energy sector and provide support to existing clean energy companies in the Commonwealth through the establishment and administration of job growth grants.

The bill establishes two types of job growth grants to be administered by the Center: Clean Energy Seed Grant and Green Jobs Initiative Grant. The Clean Energy Seed Grant will award funding to clean energy researchers and companies, non-profit and community-based organizations that seek to expand their organization and grow jobs. The Green Jobs Grant Initiative will award funding to higher education institutions and vocational technical schools to facilitate workforce development efforts.

The bill is revenue neutral. Under the bill, $43 million from the Massachusetts Alternative and Clean Energy Investment Trust Fund and $5 million from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund will be transferred to the Center to administer grants and facilitate economic growth. In FY09 budget, $3.95 million was allocated to fund a clean energy industry study, operations at the Center, and three different green job growth programs that will be administered by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs, including the Pathways out of Poverty workforce development grant to train low and moderate income individuals for jobs in the clean energy sector.

The Center will also develop a state-wide plan for installation and operation of renewable energy generating facilities on state-owned property to advance the use of alternative energy and provide new opportunities for workforce development and training initiatives in communities across the state.

The bill now proceeds to the Senate for its consideration.

House Unanimously Passes Environmental Bond Bill – Andover

Legislation will invest in park infrastructure, recreational facilities, DCR roads & bridges, land conservation and farmland

Boston – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth’s “green infrastructure” through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

“Investing in our environment today will have a positive impact on our Commonwealth for generations to come. The House has taken action to ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to maintain public parks, protect open spaces and keep their overall green infrastructure thriving,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover)

“With the passage of comprehensive energy and alternative fuels legislation this session, the House has made great strides to curb greenhouse gases and decrease waste in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to promote the use of green technology and alternative energy will have long-term benefits for our environment,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).”With this bond bill, the House has taken another meaningful step to preserve Massachusetts’s natural resources by investing in state beaches, parks and open spaces.”

“This document, our first full bond in six years, sets the stage for our environmental work over the next half-decade. The bond is comprehensive, is generous in its bottom line, and puts us back on track after years of neglect,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m particularly pleased to include authorization for subjects like climate change adaptation, land preservation, dam removal, and water supply protection.”

The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.

In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space, and maintain existing park properties.

Under the environmental bond bill adopted by the House, Andover will receive:

• $75,000 to increase the existing water supply capabilities of the Harold Parker Water Cistern;
• $500,000 for Arsenic Remediation at the Ledge Road Landfill

House Unanimously Passes Environmental Bond Bill – Boxford

Legislation will invest in park infrastructure, recreational facilities, DCR roads & bridges, land conservation and farmland

Boston – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth’s “green infrastructure” through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

“Investing in our environment today will have a positive impact on our Commonwealth for generations to come. The House has taken action to ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to maintain public parks, protect open spaces and keep their overall green infrastructure thriving,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover)

“With the passage of comprehensive energy and alternative fuels legislation this session, the House has made great strides to curb greenhouse gases and decrease waste in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to promote the use of green technology and alternative energy will have long-term benefits for our environment,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).”With this bond bill, the House has taken another meaningful step to preserve Massachusetts’s natural resources by investing in state beaches, parks and open spaces.”

“This document, our first full bond in six years, sets the stage for our environmental work over the next half-decade. The bond is comprehensive, is generous in its bottom line, and puts us back on track after years of neglect,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m particularly pleased to include authorization for subjects like climate change adaptation, land preservation, dam removal, and water supply protection.”

The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.

In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space, and maintain existing park properties.

Under the environmental bond bill adopted by the House, Boxford will receive:

• $120,000 for the development of comprehensive watershed hydrological studies and resulting watershed management plans for the Fish Brook, Pye Brook and Parker River

House Unanimously Passes Environmental Bond Bill – Georgetown

Legislation will invest in park infrastructure, recreational facilities, DCR roads & bridges, land conservation and farmland

Boston – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth’s “green infrastructure” through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

“Investing in our environment today will have a positive impact on our Commonwealth for generations to come. The House has taken action to ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to maintain public parks, protect open spaces and keep their overall green infrastructure thriving,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover)

“With the passage of comprehensive energy and alternative fuels legislation this session, the House has made great strides to curb greenhouse gases and decrease waste in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to promote the use of green technology and alternative energy will have long-term benefits for our environment,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).”With this bond bill, the House has taken another meaningful step to preserve Massachusetts’s natural resources by investing in state beaches, parks and open spaces.”

“This document, our first full bond in six years, sets the stage for our environmental work over the next half-decade. The bond is comprehensive, is generous in its bottom line, and puts us back on track after years of neglect,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m particularly pleased to include authorization for subjects like climate change adaptation, land preservation, dam removal, and water supply protection.”

The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.

In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space, and maintain existing park properties.

Under the environmental bond bill adopted by the House, Georgetown will receive:

• $125,000 for the implementation of a downtown sewer study

House Unanimously Passes Environmental Bond Bill – Haverhill

Legislation will invest in park infrastructure, recreational facilities, DCR roads & bridges, land conservation and farmland

Boston – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth’s “green infrastructure” through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

“Investing in our environment today will have a positive impact on our Commonwealth for generations to come. The House has taken action to ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to maintain public parks, protect open spaces and keep their overall green infrastructure thriving,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover)

“With the passage of comprehensive energy and alternative fuels legislation this session, the House has made great strides to curb greenhouse gases and decrease waste in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to promote the use of green technology and alternative energy will have long-term benefits for our environment,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).”With this bond bill, the House has taken another meaningful step to preserve Massachusetts’s natural resources by investing in state beaches, parks and open spaces.”

“This document, our first full bond in six years, sets the stage for our environmental work over the next half-decade. The bond is comprehensive, is generous in its bottom line, and puts us back on track after years of neglect,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m particularly pleased to include authorization for subjects like climate change adaptation, land preservation, dam removal, and water supply protection.”

The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.

In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space, and maintain existing park properties.

Under the environmental bond bill adopted by the House, Haverhill will receive:

• $300,000 for the purchase of rail corridor east of the Basiliere Bridge and the redevelopment of a boat park on the Merrimack River by the public boat ramps
• $500,000 for improvements to the Winnekenni Castle Park

House Unanimously Passes Environmental Bond Bill – Methuen

Legislation will invest in park infrastructure, recreational facilities, DCR roads & bridges, land conservation and farmland

Boston – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth’s “green infrastructure” through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

“Investing in our environment today will have a positive impact on our Commonwealth for generations to come. The House has taken action to ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to maintain public parks, protect open spaces and keep their overall green infrastructure thriving,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover)

“With the passage of comprehensive energy and alternative fuels legislation this session, the House has made great strides to curb greenhouse gases and decrease waste in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to promote the use of green technology and alternative energy will have long-term benefits for our environment,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).”With this bond bill, the House has taken another meaningful step to preserve Massachusetts’s natural resources by investing in state beaches, parks and open spaces.”

“This document, our first full bond in six years, sets the stage for our environmental work over the next half-decade. The bond is comprehensive, is generous in its bottom line, and puts us back on track after years of neglect,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m particularly pleased to include authorization for subjects like climate change adaptation, land preservation, dam removal, and water supply protection.”

The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.

In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space, and maintain existing park properties.

Under the environmental bond bill adopted by the House, Haverhill will receive:

• $300,000 for the rehabilitation, improvement and enhancement of city parks;
• $100,000 for drainage for a culvert on Old Ferry Road to mitigate years of flooding on Frye road;
• $400,000 for a infiltration elimination program;
• $200,000 for the design and construction of a walking path connecting the upper part of the city of Methuen to the Lower portion near Searle’s Estate;
• $500,000 for drainage improvements on Frye Road

House Unanimously Passes Environmental Bond Bill – North Andover

Legislation will invest in park infrastructure, recreational facilities, DCR roads & bridges, land conservation and farmland

Boston – The House of Representatives unanimously approved a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill to preserve and improve the Commonwealth’s “green infrastructure” through targeted investments in open spaces, parks, beaches, and recreation facilities across Massachusetts.

“Investing in our environment today will have a positive impact on our Commonwealth for generations to come. The House has taken action to ensure communities across the state have the resources needed to maintain public parks, protect open spaces and keep their overall green infrastructure thriving,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover)

“With the passage of comprehensive energy and alternative fuels legislation this session, the House has made great strides to curb greenhouse gases and decrease waste in the Commonwealth. Our efforts to promote the use of green technology and alternative energy will have long-term benefits for our environment,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).”With this bond bill, the House has taken another meaningful step to preserve Massachusetts’s natural resources by investing in state beaches, parks and open spaces.”

“This document, our first full bond in six years, sets the stage for our environmental work over the next half-decade. The bond is comprehensive, is generous in its bottom line, and puts us back on track after years of neglect,” said Representative Frank Smizik (D-Brookline), Chairman of the Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I’m particularly pleased to include authorization for subjects like climate change adaptation, land preservation, dam removal, and water supply protection.”

The bill provides over $600 million in borrowing authority for infrastructure and park assets, $250 million for design and construction of DCR-maintained bridges, and over $350 million for land conservation.

In addition to general authorizations, the bond bill includes funding for cities and towns to repair water infrastructure, acquire more open space, and maintain existing park properties.

Under the environmental bond bill adopted by the House, Haverhill will receive:

• $100,000 for improvements to McEvoy Park
• $190,000 for the design and development of a riverfront park and boat ramp along the Merrimack River on Riverview Street
• $100,000 for improvements to Thomson Field
• $150,000 for renovations to Hayes Stadium
• $9,000 for the installation of drainage on the pathway leading from the Franklin School to the Berkeley Road neighborhood

House Overwhelmingly Approves Summer Sales Tax Holiday

Bipartisan effort will provide shoppers with two-day sales tax break

BOSTON – For the fifth consecutive year, the House overwhelmingly voted today to give consumers a two-day sales tax break and provide a shot-in-the-arm to retailers and the economy.

The bill designates August 16th and 17th as the summer sales tax holiday weekend, exempting single item purchases of $2,500 or less from the state’s 5 percent sales tax. The Department of Revenue estimates, over the last two years sales tax holidays have increased overall economic activity by $3.2 million.

“Creating an incentive for consumers to shop during a traditionally slow sales period is good for business and our economy. This legislation is a win-win for buyers and sellers alike. A summer sales tax reprieve will boost sales for retailers and deliver discounts to consumers,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“Over the last four years, the economic stimulus generated by the sales tax holiday has delivered a much-needed revenue boost to Massachusetts’ businesses during the dog days of summer. When businesses experience a growth in sales, the overall economic impact on the Commonwealth is great and I am pleased to see this bill pass with overwhelming support again this year,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).

“By offering a weekend long sales tax holiday, we are giving taxpayers a much needed break. It’s as much a psychological thing as it is economic. We remind people that we are looking out for them and are sympathetic to the tough times our constituents are facing. I am proud that we were able to accomplish such a beneficial piece of legislation in a bipartisan manner,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading).

“The sales tax holiday is important to Massachusetts consumers as well as businesses. We have seen over the last four years the sales tax holiday’s repeated success. With prices rising across the Commonwealth, the tax-free weekend is something we can do to help consumers as well as boost the economy,” said Representative John Binienda (D-Worcester), Chairman of the House Committee on Revenue.

The exemption does not apply to automobile, motor boat, meals and tobacco product sales as well as telecommunication services and gas, steam and electricity. The bill now proceeds to the Senate. It has the public support of both Senate President Murray and Governor Deval Patrick.

House Unanimously Passes Health Care Cost Control Bill

Legislation encourages the use of electronic health record systems, rewards doctors who provide patient-centered care

BOSTON – The House of Representatives unanimously voted to move the Commonwealth into the next phase of health reform with legislation aimed at curbing health care costs and improving the overall quality of our health care system.

“With this bill, Massachusetts will once again be a national leader in health care reform. Our efforts to curtail costs and promote a higher standard of care will raise the quality of life in the Commonwealth and raise the bar even higher for states that seek to emulate the success Massachusetts has had with comprehensive health care reform,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).

“The success of our landmark healthcare law presented the Commonwealth with a new challenge: to keep health care costs manageable, and also maintain our commitment to quality care with an ever-growing pool of insured residents. Today, the House has taken a meaningful step to address those challenges by unanimously passing legislation that will help rein in costs and deliver high-quality care to the people of Massachusetts,” said House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi (D-Boston).

“Massachusetts has taken meaningful steps to achieve universal health coverage but we will not fully realize that goal until we find a way to control costs and increase access to providers,” said Representative Patricia Walrath (D-Stow), Chairwoman on the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “This bill lays the foundation for serious cost-containment and contains targeted methods of increasing the health care workforce and enhancing the overall quality of care.”

To increase quality in the current health care system, the bill requires uniform coding of medical claims to simplify and make the billing process consistent and also creates a special commission on health payment reform to bring together public and private payers and providers to make recommendations to reform the way payments are made.

The bill also would require MassHealth to establish a Medical Home program that rewards primary care physicians for providing patient-centered, coordinated care with a focus on patients with chronic illnesses.

The legislation creates a streamlined structure to oversee implementation of a statewide electronic health record system by 2015 and creates a grant program to help physicians obtain and implement e-health systems. Doctors who receive grants would be required to report on quality measures they undertake in order to ensure they reduce duplication and enhance quality of care.

The bill also establishes new licensure requirements for hospitals and physicians contingent upon adoption of e-health records and computerized prescriptions order entry.

The legislation mandates that pharmaceutical companies establish and disclose a marketing code of conduct that responsibly informs the prescribing practices of physicians.

It also requires that the Department of Public Health post information on its website concerning each company’s compliance with the requirement.

Under the bill, pharmaceutical companies would be banned from purchasing confidential prescription drug information for marketing purposes and also directs the Department of Public Health to implement an outreach and education program to provide objective education to physicians to encourage evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing practices.

The bill also:

• Creates a Health Care Workforce Center within the DPH to examine critical access needs to make systemic changes that will expand the health care workforce, especially in underserved areas of the Commonwealth.

• Requires the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy to hold annual public hearings concerning factors that contribute to cost growth among insurers and hospitals and the relationship between provider costs and health plan premiums.

• Creates a loan repayment program for medical school graduates who commit to practicing primary care medicine in underserved areas of the Commonwealth.

• Requires hospitals to report data on hospital-acquired infections and serious reportable events as a condition of licensure and encourages hospitals to establish patient and family advisory councils to improve communications.